Production of the movie, directed by Zack Snyder and produced by Christopher Nolan (”Batman Begins,” “The Dark Knight”), reportedly will be centered in west suburban Plano. "Man of Steel" is the follow-up to 2006's “Superman Returns."

It's said to be a boon for Illinois similar to last summer's "Transformers 3" thanks to an estimated movie budget of $175 million.

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The filming keeps Chicago in the spotlight, Crain's points out, at a time when the city is losing media icon Oprah Winfrey.